The Philadelphia 76ers, a team hailed as serious NBA contenders, are making headlines for all the wrong reasons after a rough 1-3 season start. Their recent loss to the Detroit Pistons, a squad that entered the game winless, has sparked a whirlwind of frustration from fans and Sixers’ head coach Nick Nurse, who didn’t hold back in his post-game assessment.
Despite injuries to key players Joel Embiid and Paul George, the Sixers still boasted enough offensive firepower on paper to overpower teams like the Pistons. But after another subpar performance, Philly’s potential playoff hopes suddenly feel shaky. Nurse’s honest, critical tone revealed just how perplexed he is with the team’s dismal performance.
The loss highlighted what Nurse believes is a systemic problem in Philly’s approach, specifically criticizing the team’s reluctance to attack from the perimeter. Speaking to reporters, Nurse bluntly stated, “We didn’t put pressure on the rim with a roll threat…had decent shots on the rim but didn’t finish at a high enough rate.” His message was clear: the team’s passive play is costing them games.
With a paltry 28.6% three-point shooting rate (8-for-28), the Sixers struggled to find rhythm or confidence from beyond the arc. Their offense lacked aggression, as players kept passing instead of taking clear shots, reflecting the low morale permeating the squad. While Tyrese Maxey managed to keep his head held high with an impressive 32-point performance, the rest of the team faltered.
Nurse called out Kelly Oubre Jr. and Caleb Martin, noting they lacked “force” on the court. Oubre Jr. scored 13 points, while Martin, who played a whopping 33 minutes, managed just seven. Meanwhile, Nurse observed a troubling overreliance on Maxey, which has led to an imbalanced offense devoid of essential paint touches and kickouts.
Andre Drummond’s rebounding performance, although tallying 11 boards, also drew criticism. Nurse noted, “He wasn’t quite as dominant defensively tonight,” pointing out that without Embiid, the team lacks a reliable presence under the basket. The Sixers shot a disappointing 41.8% from the field, leaving Nurse exasperated by the lackluster energy and intensity on both ends.
As Philadelphia looks to bounce back with a Saturday game against the Toronto Raptors, Nurse will need his team to respond decisively. In his view, improvement hinges on players stepping up, bringing more aggression, and finding consistency. Otherwise, the Sixers’ championship aspirations may end before they even begin.
